Tusculum College names Coughlin chairman of Pioneer Club 2011-2012 campaign

Larry Coughlin of Greeneville has been announced as the chairman of Tusculum College’s 2011-2012 Pioneer Club Campaign. This is Coughlin’s second year as sole campaign chairman, and he served as co-chairman for the 2009-2010 campaign.

Coughlin has been actively involved with Tusculum College and its student-athletes and is respected in the Greeneville community as a member of Notre Dame Catholic Church and the Foundation Board of the Greeneville Exchange Club. He serves on the Board of Directors of Consumer Credit Union and on the Laughlin Hospital Health Care Foundation Board.

He and his wife, Donna, have for many years been dedicated to supporting Tusculum College student-athletes and their programs. In 2010, Coughlin was recognized with the Sports Benefactor Award, which recognizes an individual for their contributions toward the Pioneer athletic programs.

Larry Coughlin

The Pioneer Club is the college’s vehicle to provide athletic scholarships and program support to all athletic programs. The program began in 1991, and with the help and support of alumni and friends of the college, each year the goals have been met in both membership and dollars raised.

The goal for the 2010-2011 campaign is $100,000 and 350 members. Members of the Pioneer Club, depending on their level, are invited to tailgates, hospitality suites or other special events prior to selected home games, matches or tournaments. Members may also receive discounts at the Tusculum College Bookstore, game passes and public address announcement recognition during games.

Athletics at Tusculum College are a big part of campus life; in fact, nearly 50 percent of the students are student-athletes.

“On campus, student-athletes have a higher graduation rate and higher GPA than those who are not student-athletes. They have seen quite a bit of success on the field and court as well,” said Coughlin.

During the 2010-2011 athletics season Tusculum College exemplified academic and athletic achievement. Tusculum Football led the nation in passing yards per game and Volleyball recorded the program’s 700th win. Men’s Soccer’s Andy Goellner of Denver, Colo., finished ninth in the nation in saves per match and Women’s Soccer posted 13 consecutive winning seasons. Men’s Cross Country runner Simon Holzapfel, from Nuremberg, Germany, was named South Atlantic Conference Runner of the Year for the second straight season.

“What an exciting program to be a part of, and as a Pioneer Club member, you can help student-athletes enjoy the unique Tusculum College experience,” Coughlin added.

Since the beginning of the Pioneer Club, Tusculum athletics programs have totaled 27 South Atlantic Conference Championships, 17 SAC Tournament championships, four NCAA Region championships, 68 All-Americans, 13 Academic All-Americans and 35 NCAA tournament appearances. Tusculum has also had four of the last five SAC Presidents’ Awards, the most prestigious honor presented by the conference. For more information about the Pioneer Club, visit the Tusculum College website at http://www.tusculumpioneers.com/page.asp?articleID=1575 or contact Kim Kidwell at 423-636-7303 or at kkidwell@tusculum.edu.